Rodri and Salah underline new era as Liverpool take on Man City
When Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi moved to different leagues, seemingly out of the spotlight, many predicted that we were witnessing the conclusion of a time when individual players were the central focus of European football discussions like never before.
It wasn't a great week for that idea. Real Madrid fell apart at Anfield, appearing as one of their weakest teams in recent years just as they embraced the Galactico approach of star-studded soccer. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain didn’t fare any better, suffering a loss to Bayern Munich, and they’ve only managed one victory in five Champions League games, putting them outside the top 24 teams needed to qualify.
At Villa Park, Emiliano Martinez showcased his newly received Yashin Trophy, along with last year's award for the world's top goalkeeper. As he waved his two weathered gloves around, he resembled a champion of a quirky competition. Frustratingly for others, the Argentine backed up his display with an exceptional save, preventing Juventus from securing a 1-0 victory.
The most significant display of totem worship occurred at the Etihad. If you were deeply missing something, like an old flame or a beloved pet that’s passed away, you wouldn't want constant reminders in the one place you escape to each week. However, just before the match against Tottenham on Sunday, there was Rodri, limping along on his injured knee and walking onto a massive banner featuring his name to soak in the cheers of thousands of Manchester City supporters celebrating his recent Ballon d'Or victory.
Major setback: Manchester City is facing significant challenges in the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
He paused for a moment, right in front of some large signs, standing in a part of City's midfield that no one has ventured into for weeks. Then, he went off to see his team suffer another defeat, marking their fifth consecutive loss, this time with a score of four to zero. It felt reminiscent of teasing a hungry child with a Happy Meal, only to toss it in the trash.
Before Sunday’s match against Premier League leaders Liverpool, City’s streak of defeats has been stopped, but not by the most reassuring means. They managed to draw 3-3 at home with Feyenoord, despite leading 3-0 with just 16 minutes left on the clock.
Every time a dominant team stumbles unexpectedly, the quest for answers grows, and this week it has turned to examining Guardiola's state of mind. It can't just be about Rodri, right? Surely one player can't have such a huge impact. But then again, maybe he really can.
An example of this can be seen at Arsenal, where the team's performance has radically improved since Martin Odegaard recovered from his injury.
After the international break, the team that struggled to get by and only managed to defeat Preston in five matches has transformed into a more recognizable squad. This refreshed and dynamic team has given City a tough challenge two years in a row.
Odegaard has seamlessly rejoined the team without needing any adjustment time. His fellow players, especially Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, have been energized by the playmaker's effortless comeback. Overall, every aspect of Arsenal's game appears to be more polished, faster, and sharper.
Impactful: Martin Odegaard's comeback from injury has completely changed Arsenal's performance.
Arsenal FC through Getty Images
Gary Neville stated on Sky Sports earlier this season, "You can't lose one player and drop from a high level to a low level." However, that's precisely what has occurred for both Arsenal and Manchester City.
It's puzzling yet also makes complete sense that the two coaches known for their strategic approach have created teams that depend so much on a single player. Just like a machine needs a key to start running, every team needs its own catalyst.
Both managers seem to have been caught off guard by how much their teams have been affected, and neither was fully prepared to handle the situation. City might have underestimated it because they've dealt with significant player absences, like Kevin de Bruyne's, in the past. On the other hand, Arsenal was likely unprepared since Odegaard's fitness had been outstanding until now.
What about Liverpool and Arne Slot, who have gained the most advantage to pull ahead by eight points at the top of the standings as we approach this weekend?
Contract ambiguity: Mohamed Salah continues to be crucial for Liverpool.
Maybe Slot should take proactive measures and start a search for the insider who's undermining the team, similar to George Smiley's investigations. He needs to identify the traitor who could jeopardize their surprising title run. Once found, they should ensure this person, along with their car and home, is wrapped up securely to prevent any further harm.
Mohamed Salah? Virgil van Dijk? Ryan Gravenberch? Each of them brings unique strengths and plays a crucial role, but who is the one player that this team truly cannot do without? Just as Arsenal and City have discovered, you often don’t realize until you test it out.
